Student Number: 0516329A - MSc research report - School of Public Health - Faculty of Medicine / In the face of diminishing traditional controls on adolescent sexual behaviour, parents are becoming the focal point of guidance on sexual issues. The main objective of the study is to establish if residing with one’s parents has any effect on one’s sexual behaviour among adolescents in the Kassena-Nankana District of Northern Ghana. A sample of 7056 adolescents aged between 10 and 24 years were interviewed between April and October 2003 while the 2004 household socio-economic data was used to generate a household wealth index. Females are less likely to have had sex (AOR 0.75; CI: 0.63; 0.88) and also less likely to initiate sex before age 16 (AOR 0.30; CI: 0.21; 0.43) compared to males. Living with one’s father only is associated with a 36% decrease in the likelihood of having had sex among males (AOR 0.64; CI: 0.42; 0.96) compared to living with both parents. Females living with neither parent were 76% more likely to have had sex than those living with both parents (AOR 1.76; CI: 1.21; 2.55). Discussion of sexual matters with parents increased the likelihood of initiating sex. Family structure is an important predictor of sexual behaviour among adolescents and therefore should be considered when designing and implementing interventions. Longitudinal and qualitative studies are recommended

abstract: This work explores the underlying dynamics of democracies in the context of underdevelopment, arguing that when society has not attained a substantial degree of economic independence from the state, it undermines democratic quality and stability. Economic underdevelopment and political oppression are mutually reinforcing, and both are rooted in the structure of the agriculture sector, the distribution of land, and the rural societies that emerge around this order. These systems produce persistent power imbalances that militate toward their continuance, encourage dependency, and foster the development of neopatrimonialism and corruption in the government, thereby weakening key pillars of democracy such as accountability and representativeness. Through historical analysis of a single case study, this dissertation demonstrates that while this is partly a result of actor choices at key points in time, it is highly influenced by structural constraints embedded in earlier time periods. I find that Ghana’s historical development from the colonial era to present day closely follows this trajectory. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Political Science 2019

During recent years the stigmatised phenomenon of menstruation has received increased attention, revealing various challenges faced by menstruating women and girls. The prevalence of these have shown to be particularly profound in low- and middle-income countries. Despite an enhanced understanding of how menstruators may be affected by having their periods the focus within the growing body of literature on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) remains narrow, often focusing solely on the practical aspects of MHM, whilst failing to acknowledge the social dimensions of menstruating. Women who work have been notably overlooked within the existing research, which almost exclusively has targeted schoolgirls. This study aims to widen the understanding of MHM, entailing both social and practical aspects. It also seeks to shed light on the experiences of working women, as a previously neglected group. To investigate how menstruation may affect women within their working environment, a field study with respondent interviews was conducted in Accra, Ghana. The narratives of the respondents, consisting of women working within the informal sector at markets, disclosed challenges that relate both to the social and practical aspects of MHM. The results point to the continued need for including working women in the research on MHM. It also demonstrates how practical and social aspects overlap and thus needs to be linked to gain a full understanding of menstruation and how it affects the menstruator.

This thesis is the result of a comparative study utilizing qualitative evidence regarding the democratization process and history in Ghana and Nigeria. As a whole, this thesis seeks to exemplify some of the potential outcomes of democratization since independence in sub-Saharan African states. I analyze the strength and condition of democracy and the democratization process through the electoral histories of Ghana and Nigeria. In my argument, neopatrimonialism encapsulates corruption via patronage, clientelism, and godfatherism. These three theories are the primary areas of concern within this study regarding neopatrimonialism. I assert that democracy is measured in this region as a reflection of the quality of free and fair elections, a key (but not sole) determinant of democratization. The quality or maturation of democracy is measured through the degree to which neopatrimonialism has impacted the integrity of the electoral process. Thus, instances elite clientelism through predatory prebendalism and violent corruption by political elite represent a very troubled democracy under which power structures serve the personal interests of the political elite. Comparatively, evidence of a more distributive form of neopatrimonialism indicates a stronger democratic regime, and is indicated by mass clientelism in the electoral systems of the state.

Menstrual health management can be a difficulty for menstruating women and girls, especially in low- and middle-income countries or other areas of poverty. Menstruation being characterized by stigmatisation, myths and taboo makes it especially troublesome, preventing women and girls to handle their menstruation safely and with dignity. Male attitudes have been argued to play an important role in perpetuating these stigmas and taboos, yet little is known about them. This study sets out to investigate male menstrual knowledge and attitudes, the role of religion in shaping menstrual attitudes and the potential consequences for menstruating women and girls. Qualitative data from group interviews with 24 boys aged 15-19 in a Senior High School in Accra, Ghana is used as basis for analysis. The results are organised along three themes, reflecting the three sub-research questions guiding the study. Findings demonstrate how schoolboys have an elemental understanding of the physiological process of menstruation yet demonstrate a deep understanding of cultural restrictions and the way menstruation may be experienced. Attitudes contain both positive and negative elements, including menstruation as normal and natural on the one hand, and the menstruating girl as unclean and impure on the other. Religion seem to play in important role in perpetuating negative menstrual attitudes, reinforcing the idea of menstruation as impure and unclean. Potential consequences of these attitudes risk menstruation continuing being considered as unclean and impure in addition to be neglected as a “girl’s matter”. However, respondents also identified menstrual difficulties which may foster supportive involvement in menstruation. The findings suggest the importance of continuing to address the surrounding communities of menstruating women and girls, including within and outside of educational and religious institutions.

Ghana's democracy has been hailed by scholars, practitioners, and the international community in recent years as a shining example in the West African subregion as a result of the country's record of organizing successive elections with minimal or no violence. However, the evaluation of Ghana's democracy has predominantly focused on the elections and disproportionately captures the views of the political elite; conspicuously missing is the perspective of the ordinary Ghanaian. This presents an incomplete picture of Ghana's democracy, given the relevance of citizens' participation in democratic societies. To address this gap in knowledge, this qualitative case study explored the practice of democracy in Ghana under the fourth republic from the perspective of the citizenry. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with purposefully sampled ordinary Ghanaian citizens (n = 15), observation, and documents review. The data were then subjected to thematic and content analysis to reveal themes, categories, and patterns. The results revealed that the participating Ghanaians had dichotomous views, opinions, and experiences of democracy. Their experiences and opinions of the electoral system were generally positive, while their experiences and opinions of governance in the intervening years were generally negative. The study's results should inspire a paradigm shift in the responsiveness of government to citizens and how the government engages with citizens on policy formulation and implementation. This study's results can encourage positive social change with respect to the manner in which democratic performance is evaluated in Ghana by scholars, practitioners, and the international community.

Abstract Immigrant parents face unique challenges in getting involved in their children's education. Research is limited about how immigrant parents cope with these challenges in supporting their children's education. The purpose of this qualitative study, as reflected in the central research question, was to describe the lived experiences of Ghanaian and Nigerian immigrant parents in relation to their involvement in their children's education. The conceptual framework was based on Epstein's theory of parental involvement concerning how the school, family, and community relate to each other. A phenomenological design was used, and participants included 11 Ghanaian and Nigerian immigrant parents living in an urban city in the eastern region of the United States whose children were enrolled in public schools. Data were collected from participant responses to individual interviews that included 10 open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using the modified van Kaam method of analysis. Findings indicated that immigrant parents believed frequent communication with teachers was the most important component of Epstein's parental involvement model and that they should also support teachers in resolving disciplinary issues at school. This study contributes to positive social change by helping educators design and implement strategies that encourage immigrant parents to become actively involved in their children's education, which may lead to improved student achievement and socioeconomic mobility for students.

Thesis (M.A.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of Anthropology, 2006. / "This dissertation is a compound document (contains both a paper copy and a CD as part of the dissertation). The CD requires the following system requirements: Adobe Acrobat"--ProQuest document view. Includes bibliographical references.

<p>The general purpose of this project is two in one; to analyze and assess gender mainstreaming and sustainable women development policies of the two main political parties in Ghana, and to evaluate the contribution of gender biased NGOs to the course of women empowerment in Ghana. </p><p>This thesis, by applying the methodological techniques of qualitative content analysis and discourse analysis explores and examines the strength and weakness of the parties’ political manifestoes. It also explores and examines the activities of the NGOs- while evaluating some of projects they have undertaken in the development of Ghanaian women. The paper also offered suggestions that will help to achieve effective sustainable women development when adopted by the political parties and the concerned NGOs. </p><p>Women in Development (WID) and Gender and Development (GAD), the most widely used theoretical frameworks in gender and development studies; provide the conceptual frames for the analysis in this thesis. They are widely applied throughout the analyses of this paper and form the foundation for realizing the aims and objectives of this work. </p><p>The conclusion of this paper is able to identify pragmatic measures for ensuring gender mainstreaming and achieving effective affirmative action for Ghanaian women; it calls upon the political parties to exhibit effective commitment to gender mainstreaming by initiating policies that will give women a fair representation and participation in decision making processes in Ghana at all levels. </p><p>The women NGOs on the other hand, should depart from over concentration on service provision activities and refocus their programmes and projects toward encouraging and preparing women to enter politics at local, districts and national levels. These measures, as identified by the analyses; are the strongest weapons for achieving effective women empowerment in Ghana</p>

<p><strong>Purpose</strong>: This research work is to discuss the various forces/ factors that affect the business environment of Ghana which impacts investing in marketing and processing of cocoa beans in Ghana. In order to determine or classify Ghana as an attractive destination or otherwise to invest in cocoa marketing and processing there is the need to discuss the prevailing macro business environmental forces which little is known about to investors, managers and policy makers in cocoa trade. These mentioned parties have been under increasing pressures to assess the various forces prevailing in Ghana before considering investing in cocoa marketing and processing in Ghana. The work therefore looks as the various macro environmental factors Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Physical Environment and Legal (PESTEL) forces in Ghana’s business environment which impacts cocoa marketing and processing which makes Ghana an attractive base or otherwise to invest in cocoa marketing and processing.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Research Questions: </strong>The specific questions that the research aims at solving are as follows: what are the external and environmental forces that will influence investing in cocoa marketing and processing in Ghana? Is Ghana a safe and attractive base to invest in cocoa marketing and processing?</p><p> </p><p><strong>Research method: </strong>In carrying this research I made use of both secondary and primary data. Primary data was gathered through face interviews and administrating questionnaires to illicit response from stakeholders in Ghana’s cocoa. The paper also presents a review of literature on PESTEL which has influence or features in Ghana’s business environment which are important in cocoa marketing and processing.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Research Findings: </strong>Empirical findings and review of PESTEL model reported in the work suggests that the PESTEL will impact on the strategy of organizations and policy makers who are into cocoa marketing and processing. Also gives suggestions on how the various environmental forces (PESTEL) will be applied to further improve upon the business environment which makes marketing and processing of cocoa in Ghana attractive.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Research Implications and Limitations: </strong>The discussions and analyses of the macro environmental forces prevailing in Ghana’s business environment which impacts cocoa marketing produces a frame work to analyze current threats and opportunities in Ghana’s business environment which impacts cocoa marketing and processing for people contemplating on investing in marketing and processing of cocoa in Ghana as well as other practical lessons for policy makers in cocoa. The work overlooks the micro environmental forces in Ghana that impacts cocoa marketing and processing. Further research into such area will help give an understanding of the micro factors that impact the business environment of Ghana. Also the work has a limited empirical data base as most information gathered were inconsistent and unreliable which raises concerns about investment information. These have been minimized thro3ugh cross checks with primary data.</p>